Some plaza businesses moving with Wal-Mart/Others will stay, counting on dedicated customers

Megan EdwardsPublished: July 28, 2006 12:00AM

By MEGAN EDWARDS
T-G Staff Writer
Wal-Marts imminent departure from the Baney Road location has left nearby business owners looking to the future.
Of the handful of businesses in the Ashland Plaza area, a few have plans to move to the Wal-Mart Supercenter location off U.S. 250. The rest will take their chances, based on dedicated customers and leases.
Wal-Mart Supercenter is scheduled to open Aug. 16.
Dr. Paul Agee, who owns Agee Chiropractic Clinic next to the former J.C. Penney store, recently renewed his lease for another two years.
My futures pretty well set for what I have to do for 24 months, Agee said. As to what to expect, when I opened seven years ago, the flow of traffic was critical to getting started. But this is the type of business that once youre established, the traffic is much less critical.
He remains optimistic for the plaza and looks at the situation as an advantage to his practice.
We have a real advantage of a huge parking lot, he said, adding his clinic has added several services. We have a beautiful property here. I keep being very hopeful that something new will come along.
Though he is locked into another two-year lease, Agee doesnt think much of what could have happened if he wasnt in the lease.
Theres still a lot of activity, Agee said. I dont give a lot of thought to if I could leave here today.
Agee looks at the bigger problem facing the community: the loss of industry.
I worry about that more than where Im located in the community, he said.
Famous Hair store manager Jennifer Burkhart said the salon is planning to stay at its current location for now. But long-term plans are up in the air, because the company recently was purchased by Regis Salons. Famous Hair isnt too concerned with the slower traffic flow, however, said Burkhart.
Were telling customers were staying, she said. Weve been here for 15 years and weve built up a good customer clientele. A lot of people we do are glad were staying here.
Payless Shoe Source, a separate building at the Baney Road entrance of the plaza, plans to stay, according to assistant manager Jamey Scyphers. And Great Dragon restaurant will stick around as well, owner Younz Wang said. Both have at least a year left on leases. General Nutrition Center will also stay, according to Benjamin Pratt, senior director of corporate communications.
However, not everyone wants to wait around to see how the plaza will weather the storm of Wal-Mart leaving. Rent-A-Center will move eventually, according to sales manager Suncei Rose, to one of the two outbuilding plazas near the Supercenter. She was unclear of the date when the business will move.
Were moving of course because of the traffic, she said. There wont be anyone out here.
Wireless, a cellular phone store which opened in July 2005, also will move near the new Wal-Mart Supercenter, according to owner Ron Stephan. The store will go into an outbuilding being constructed by Horne Properties, which was in charge of the Supercenter project.
With Wal-Mart leaving, we have no more traffic flow, in my opinion, Stephan said. The few stores left in there are going to struggle.
Because the store was new to the Ashland Plaza area and because Wal-Marts plans to build a new Supercenter were known, Stephan said he had signed only a 12-month lease when moving into his spot.
I had planned on moving to where they are going, he said.
Stephan hopes to be open at his new location for Christmas in his nearly 1,200-square-foot space. He also hopes the move will distance himself from his new competition, a corporate Verizon store on Claremont Avenue.
I think thats going to be a good area, Stephan said of the U.S. 250 corridor. I didnt want to move out there at first, but thats where everyones going. Everyone I got an opinion from said I should go out there.
n Megan Edwards can be reached at 419-281-0581, ext. 239, or medwards@times-gazette.com.